Pizza it is. [rp for lapsedsaint]

[aesthetic_mojo]

Despite days of calls and worry, Charlotte made every effort to provide a stress free front that night. She got beer as well as two pizzas. During the weekend, between those calls and visits to Eothian's hospital bed, Charlotte's living room furniture arrived. A large sectional, plenty big enough for two tall people to stretch out on, and a real coffee table had been assembled. She hadn't bothered putting them where she wanted, so they sat at awkward angles to each other in the middle of the room.

There was a real dining table, though. Three chairs sat around the round table where she arranged the food. The table, at least, looked remarkably civilized. Of course, once the food was out, the relentless battle started with the kittens. Even after putting the pizza into the oven for safe keeping, the kittens weren't convinced. Charlotte had to stand in the kitchen watching the oven just in case one decided to pop in there.

With no clear idea when John would arrive, she started cursing under her breath. It took a fair bit of effort to make sure she didn't absently curse the neighbors with her muttering. The kittens, on the other hand, were fair game.

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[lapsedsaint]

After they made their dinner date, John decided he needed a shower before he could go out in public. His attempts were unsuccessful, every time he tried to wash what hair he had left, he had to back off. In lieu of another headache, he opted for a quick, lukewarm bath.

He dressed more casually then she'd ever seen him, completing the outfit with a hat. He wasn't normally one for hats, but he wanted to cover the fact that the front half of his head had been shaven, only showing a few days of fresh growth.

Not trusting himself to drive, or even knowing where he was car, he took a cab to her place. After the driver was paid, he went to the front of the building and buzzed to be let in.

[aesthetic_mojo]

She had to catch a flying cat before she could press the lock release even though she used her mind to press it. With both kittens tucked firmly against her, she went to stand at the door and wait for him to come up. She was suddenly grateful they were being such brats. At least she wouldn't open the door looking worried. She'd look annoyed.

[lapsedsaint]

He greeted her with a weak smile, looking at the kittens. "Are they being pests?"

[aesthetic_mojo]

She held them up by their scruffs, one in each hand, and nodded. "Terrible pests. I've been considering letting them get themselves into the oven." The kittens both squirmed for a moment, then blinked out of sight, leaving her standing with her hands in the air.

She hung her head. "Please, come in, have a beer."

[lapsedsaint]

When they disappeared, he shuddered and closed his eyes, rubbing them for a moment. Then he gave her a smile and came the rest of the way into the apartment. He closed the door behind him and looked around, noticing the new furniture.

[aesthetic_mojo]

She followed him into the living area, coming up close behind him, and waved a hand at the furniture. "See what happens when you lose days? I do a half assed job of decorating."

She put her hand lightly on his lower back. "You should sit and I'll get the food."

[lapsedsaint]

He leaned back against her hand and smiled faintly. "Table or couch?" He turned slowly and faced her, reaching up to touch her face. "After we eat, we'll get your living room straightened out."

[aesthetic_mojo]

She closed her eyes and rubbed against his hand, groaning softly. "Table or I'll never let you eat." She had to force herself to pull away from him so she could get the pizzas. "We'll figure out after, after."

[lapsedsaint]

He kissed her forehead, then went to sit at the table. He was waiting for a kitten to appear and torment him. He just knew they were waiting.

[aesthetic_mojo]

She brought both boxes out, set them in the middle of the table and looked at them for a moment. She knew they were only biding time, too. Her first two ideas would probably unnerve him too much, so she finally shrugged and got one of the plates.

She put a piece of triple meat pizza on the plate, intending to put it on the floor for the beasts. Half way to the floor with it, Viv appeared on the plate. "FUCK!"

[lapsedsaint]

He looked back in time to see the plate and the kitten go down. He shook his head and reached for her. "Come here."

[aesthetic_mojo]

By the time the plate hit the floor, both kittens were on it, tearing at the cheese and meat. She shoved the plate toward the kitchen and went to stand next to him. She gave him a small smile. "The other one has mushrooms."

[lapsedsaint]

He reached for her hand and squeezed it. "Do you starve them? Is that was this is all about?" He stood up slowly and pulled her down into his seat. "Meat or mushroom?"

[aesthetic_mojo]

"Mushroom, please." She sat down with a whimper. "I don't starve them. How could I? They are the world's best sneak thieves." She exhaled slowly. "I've never had pizza here. I think they're just fascinated. They had the same reaction to Thai Shrimp the other day."

[lapsedsaint]

He moved into the kitten and plated up a piece of each. Keeping his eyes on the little monsters, he set both plates on the table. "Drink?"

[aesthetic_mojo]

She watched him move, looking for any sign of what had happened to him while he was missing. "Beer's in the fridge, if you want it. I'll have water since you seem to be waiting on me."

[lapsedsaint]

He came back to the table with two beers, then sat himself down. He checked the beasts a final time, then picked up his pizza and took a bite. Even as he chewed, he didn't take his eyes off her.

[aesthetic_mojo]

She picked the mushrooms off her pizza, ignoring the rest of the food and the beer, meeting his gaze with a faintly amused smile. He still had his hat on so she couldn't see if they'd actually done anything to him. Finally she tore a small bit of crust off and nibbled at it. "Have I changed?"

[lapsedsaint]

He shook his head as he took another bite. "No. I'm just trying to figure out if this is some elaborate hoax." He winked. "Were you really worried about me?"

[aesthetic_mojo]

"They're good, honey, but they aren't this good." She gestured to her lithe frame to explain which this she meant.

She took her time answering, nibbling at a bit more of her crust and taking a sip of beer first. "The last thing I heard was your masters were going to put you under the knife. Given my feelings about them, is it so surprising I worried?"

[lapsedsaint]

He nodded slowly. "Good point." He went back to eating, his head bowed as he ate. Only when the piece of pizza was more than half gone, he set it down and took a drink. "It's really Tuesday?"

[aesthetic_mojo]

"Yes." She pulled a string of cheese off the pizza and played with it. "You were due to go in for surgery on Thursday. I assumed I'd hear something by Saturday. Sunday at the latest." She popped the cheese into her mouth and chewed slowly.

[lapsedsaint]

"And it's Tuesday? Interesting." He went back to his pizza, his brow knit in concentration as he chewed.

[aesthetic_mojo]

"Interesting?" She shook her head, amazed that was the best he could come up with. "I was ready to storm the gates and ask what they'd done with you." She didn't add that she'd seriously considered contacting her family for help with that. He wouldn't believe it any more than she did.

[lapsedsaint]

He didn't speak again until his pizza was gone. Then he leaned back and sipped at his beer, his eyes half closed. He wasn't sure what to say, or how he felt about it. He really had no idea.